Can Agents Work?

Jobs / Production and manufacturing / 51-8011.00

Nuclear Power Reactor Operators

Operate or control nuclear reactors. Move control rods, start and stop equipment, monitor and adjust controls, and record data in logs. Implement emergency procedures when needed. May respond to abnormalities, determine cause, and recommend corrective action.

US jobs
5,150
Median wage
$122,890 a year
Job family
Production and manufacturing

Can agents do the work of nuclear power reactor operators?

We read the evidence for the whole job family, Production and manufacturing: Unmeasured (no change in 12 months)

No direct benchmark gives a success rate.

0% of this occupation's work, by O*NET work activities, is measured by a direct benchmark.

  • 23%Operate energy production or distribution equipmentNot measured
  • 19%Direct organizational operations, activities, or proceduresNot measured
  • 13%Monitor equipment operationNot measured
  • 12%Maintain operational recordsNot measured
  • 7%Plan work activitiesNot measured
  • 6%Communicate with others about operational plans or activitiesNot measured
  • 5%Inspect facilities or equipmentNot measured
  • 4%Move materials, equipment, or suppliesNot measured

Benchmarks for the job family

These cover work in production and manufacturing, not always this occupation's tasks.

Also relevant

These benchmarks cover part of this family's work, or have no result yet. They do not set its step.

Typical tasks

From O*NET 31.0. Core tasks first. Few of these tasks have a benchmark today.

  • Operate nuclear power reactors in accordance with policies and procedures to protect workers from radiation and to ensure environmental safety.
  • Adjust controls to position rod and to regulate flux level, reactor period, coolant temperature, or rate of power flow, following standard procedures.
  • Develop or implement actions such as lockouts, tagouts, or clearances to allow equipment to be safely repaired.
  • Respond to system or unit abnormalities, diagnosing the cause, and recommending or taking corrective action.
  • Monitor all systems for normal running conditions, performing activities such as checking gauges to assess output or the effects of generator loading on other equipment.
  • Monitor or operate boilers, turbines, wells, or auxiliary power plant equipment.
  • Record operating data, such as the results of surveillance tests.
  • Implement operational procedures, such as those controlling start-up or shut-down activities.
  • Note malfunctions of equipment, instruments, or controls and report these conditions to supervisors.
  • Participate in nuclear fuel element handling activities, such as preparation, transfer, loading, or unloading.
  • Dispatch orders or instructions to personnel through radiotelephone or intercommunication systems to coordinate auxiliary equipment operation.
  • Review and edit standard operating procedures.
Other job titles for this occupation (20)

Licensed Reactor Operator · Nuclear Control Operator · Nuclear Control Room Operator · Nuclear Plant Operator (NPO) · Nuclear Power Reactor Operator · Nuclear Reactor Operator · Nuclear Station Operator (NSO) · Nuclear Supervising Operator (NSO) · Nuclear Unit Operator · Reactor Operator (RO) · Control Operator · Control Room Agent · Control Room Officer · Control Room Operator · Licensed Nuclear Control Room Operator · Nuclear Control Room Non-Licensed Operator · Nuclear Operator · Nuclear Power Plant Process Control Worker · Power Reactor Operator · Unit Reactor Operator